Alternative Housing Structure for Livestock and Poultry in Micronesia

• 2003 annual report
• 2004 annual report

Three batches of layers were housed in container vans during this period. The production stages ranged from brooding, growing to active laying. The multi-age group batches of layers enabled the farmers to see the complete cycle of litter type layer production in a container van. The performance of the birds from brooding to growing was normal, and egg production during laying was satisfactory. The birds did not exhibit any form of abnormal behavior and vices while they were raised in the container vans. A workshop on poultry production was conducted July 26–30, 2004. The major emphasis of the workshop was on the results of the project. Extension agents and producers from the Western Pacific region attended this workshop. A PowerPoint file was made out of the grant showing the different grant activities conducted, and this PowerPoint presentation was shown to agriculture students and in a regional workshop in the South Pacific. A desktop publication, in a 4-page flyer format, on the results of this grant will be published. (peer review process) The collaboration and the cooperation between the Guam Cooperative Extension, University of Guam and Guam Department of Agriculture enabled the grant to continue beyond the grant period. The project site was opened to producers and farmers since the first batch of layers came into production. Visitors to the project site were surprised to see layers producing eggs in container vans. Though the duration of the project expired, the demonstration project is still on going. The chickens are displayed at elementary schools during their cultural fairs. Although there was no super typhoon that hit Guam during the grant period to test the strength of the container vans, the performance of the birds from brooding to laying proved that chickens could be raised in container vans. Container vans for egg production are ideal and practical for small-scale poultry producers and poultry hobbyists.

1. To study and demonstrate the practical use of container vans as alternative housing structures for poultry producers in Micronesia.
2. To show the effect of providing proper housing and environment on poultry producers in the region.
3. To encourage farmers to revive the poultry industry.
4. To increase awareness of producers about animal welfare and humane treatment of birds.
5. To produce educational materials of the study such as desktop publications, posters, educational videos and fact sheets translated to the different dialects in the region.